Post by NZBC on Apr 3, 2008 19:34:17 GMT 12
www.dearmyrtle.com/06/1014.htm
Chinese genealogies are kept at the family level, and are not regulated or controlled by the government.
THE PREFACE INCLUDES:
-- an overview of the derivation of the surname (her's was adopted 71 generations ago when the current emperor's uncle went by her original surname 'He')
-- explanation of the geographic origin of the name
-- highlights of famous ancestors in the family
-- behavioral guidelines including respect for the country, family, living a peaceful life, no smoking, etc.
REGARDING SHEAU'S HAND WRITTEN GENEALOGY:
-- It is rare for an individual to have a copy, as there is usually only 1 copy kept by the eldest male in the extended family.
-- It is patriarchal, usually including women's names only in the current generation or two.
-- Males, even younger brothers, are listed before sisters in the current generation.
-- Often education and occupations are listed for the ancestor.
-- Sheau's 71 generations go back 2,100 years to the original ancestor.
-- Her genealogy has been revised only 5 times by a "compiler" meaning it was rewritten from beginning to end to accommodate all changes and additions.
-- After each "compilation" the previous "original" genealogy is destroyed.
TWO PARTICIPANTS WERE DIRECTLY ASSISTED BY SHEAU.
-- One had a document from her deceased grandfather that the researcher couldn't decipher. Sheau explained it was a membership certificate for a Chinese fraternal organization. Sheau was able to translate most of the Chinese characters and referred the researcher to a specific source for more information. Apparently it was notable to belong to such a Chinese organization when coming to the US in the early 20th century.
--The second participant was looking for a translator to travel to China with her mother who wished to visit the village of origin, and prevail upon the eldest to allow a copy of the genealogy to be made for her.
Chinese genealogies are kept at the family level, and are not regulated or controlled by the government.
THE PREFACE INCLUDES:
-- an overview of the derivation of the surname (her's was adopted 71 generations ago when the current emperor's uncle went by her original surname 'He')
-- explanation of the geographic origin of the name
-- highlights of famous ancestors in the family
-- behavioral guidelines including respect for the country, family, living a peaceful life, no smoking, etc.
REGARDING SHEAU'S HAND WRITTEN GENEALOGY:
-- It is rare for an individual to have a copy, as there is usually only 1 copy kept by the eldest male in the extended family.
-- It is patriarchal, usually including women's names only in the current generation or two.
-- Males, even younger brothers, are listed before sisters in the current generation.
-- Often education and occupations are listed for the ancestor.
-- Sheau's 71 generations go back 2,100 years to the original ancestor.
-- Her genealogy has been revised only 5 times by a "compiler" meaning it was rewritten from beginning to end to accommodate all changes and additions.
-- After each "compilation" the previous "original" genealogy is destroyed.
TWO PARTICIPANTS WERE DIRECTLY ASSISTED BY SHEAU.
-- One had a document from her deceased grandfather that the researcher couldn't decipher. Sheau explained it was a membership certificate for a Chinese fraternal organization. Sheau was able to translate most of the Chinese characters and referred the researcher to a specific source for more information. Apparently it was notable to belong to such a Chinese organization when coming to the US in the early 20th century.
--The second participant was looking for a translator to travel to China with her mother who wished to visit the village of origin, and prevail upon the eldest to allow a copy of the genealogy to be made for her.